Club legend Billy Bonds was honoured before kick-off, as ‘The Billy Bonds Stand’ opened in his name.
Former players welcomed him to the pitch with a guard of honour as the ex-captain, who won two FA Cups with the Irons back in the 70’s, was on hand to cut the ribbon before kick-off.
North-East visitors Newcastle United got the game underway as the West Ham fans bellowed out chants in support of their team.
Both sides looked to exploit the wide areas as the game raced into tempo.
Early Breakthrough
The Irons took the lead through a Rice header, with the young Englishman powering home Robert Snodgrass’ corner after seven minutes. With only his second goal for the club, the midfielder gave his team the perfect start to the game.
After an ecstatic opening 10 minutes, play was delayed as both Aaron Cresswell and Javier Manquillo received treatment following a clash of heads.
West Ham Captain Noble was the first name in the ref’s book for a late challenge on Miguel Almiron as the away side looked to get out of their half.
The linesman raised his flag to deny the Magpies an equaliser, rightfully ruling out Ayoze Perez’s close-range finish after the ball had deflected to him kindly.
Arthur Masuaku was introduced from the bench, with Cresswell forced off the field with an injury 33 minutes into the first-half.
Discipline escaped the visitors as both Fabian Schar and Sean Longstaff picked up bookings before Chris Kavanagh awarded West Ham a penalty in the 41st minute.
No Mistakes
Javier Hernandez was brought down by Florian Lejeune who slid in clumsily.
Noble made no mistake from the spot, firing the ball into the top left-hand corner giving his side a 2-0 lead the break.
Rafael Benitez brought on Mohamed Diame at the restart in a bid to bolster his midfield who had been second best to West Ham. Perez wasted a golden opportunity immediately after, dragging an effort wide having got behind the Iron’s defence.
Claret and blue shirts remained behind the ball with the luxury of a two-goal lead whilst the Magpies desperately hunted a route back into the tie.
Suspense filled the ground as both sets of supporters sensed the importance of the next goal.
Hernandez was inches from poking in a third for West Ham, but the Mexican couldn’t quite keep his effort down as he stretched to connect with Ryan Fredericks’ whipped ball into the area.
Both managers made changes as Paul Dummett and Marko Arnautovic joined for the closing 20 minutes of the game.
Chants for Billy Bonds were halted in the 71st minute as Salomon Rondon’s goal-bound header was turned behind by Masuaku after a neat delivery into the box from Matt Ritchie.
Standing Ovation
Noble left the field to a standing ovation ten minutes from time, with Pedro Obiang replacing the Hammers Skipper.
Christian Atsu would be Newcastle’s final change of the evening and the former Chelsea man nearly notched an assist a minute after coming on. Rondon met the Ghanaian’s low cross into the area but his left-footed strike was heroically blocked by Angelo Ogbonna.
Lukasz Fabianksi ensured his side kept a clean sheet with a smart save right at the death, tipping Rondon’s free-kick onto the post.
With three minutes of stoppage time played, Kavanagh blew his whistle with the Hammers winning the game 2-0.
Match Stats
West Ham United: Fabianski, Cresswell (Masuaku 33’), Anderson, Lanzini, Snodgrass, Noble (Obiang 79), Hernandez (Arnautovic 70’) Ogbonna, Diop, Fredericks, Rice
Subs not used: Adrian, Nasri, Perez, Antonio
Goals: Rice 7, Noble 42
Booked: Noble 26
Newcastle United: Dubravka, Schar (Dummett 65), Lascelles, Rondon, Ritchie, Hayden (Atsu 79), Perez, Manquillo, Lejeune, Almiron, Longstaff (Diame 46)
Subs not used: Darlow, Sung-Yueng, Muto, Yedlin,
Goals: –
Booked: Schar 37, Longstaff 40, Hayden 67, Dubravka 85
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Attendance: 59,910
